, also known professionally by the mononym Tao, is a Japanese actress and model. In 2009, she was one of the faces of Ralph Lauren.
She made her film debut as the female lead Mariko Yashida in the 2013 film The Wolverine; and played Mercy Graves in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She has had recurring roles in the television series Hannibal, The Man in the High Castle, and Westworld. In 2026, she was awarded the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for her performance in the drama All of a Sudden.
Early life Tao was born in Ichikawa, Chiba. She started modeling as a teenager in Japan, when she was 14 years old.
Career
Modeling In 2006, she made a decision to move to Paris and develop her career on an international level. Soon after that, Tao made her debut on the European runways, one of the few prominent East Asian models of that era.
In 2009, Tao moved to New York City.
Tao has worked in advertising and editorial projects. She has fronted campaigns such as Dolce & Gabbana with Mario Testino, Emporio Armani by Alasdair McLellan, Kenzo with Mario Sorrenti, and Tommy Hilfiger with Craig McDean. Editorially, she has shot for i-D Magazine, V Magazine, W Magazine, and various international editions of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue.
The November 2009 issue of Vogue Nippon (Japanese Vogue) is dedicated to Tao. She was the Japan Fashion Editor's Club "Model of the Year" and was one of Vogue Nippon's "Women of the Year" in 2010.
Okamoto has modeled for Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Burberry Prorsum, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Emanuel Ungaro, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Hermès, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Maison Martin Margiela, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Moschino, Paul Smith, Phillip Lim, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent and more.
Acting In 2013, Tao made her film debut as Mariko Yashida, opposite Hugh Jackman, in The Wolverine. In October 2014, it was announced that she had joined the cast of Hannibal as Chiyoh, Hannibal Lecter's family servant. In January 2015, it was announced that Tao would star in the film Crossroads with Alodia Gosiengfiao. In 2015, Tao appeared in The Man in the High Castle as Betty Kasoura, wife of lawyer Paul Kasoura and a customer at Robert Childan's American Artistic Handcrafts. In 2016, Tao played Mercy Graves in the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Personal life In 2015, Okamoto married Tenzin Wild, the Swiss co-editor-in-chief of The Last Magazine.
Filmography
Film
YearTitleRoleNotes 2013The WolverineMariko YashidaFeature film debut2015Shiho Nomura2016Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeMercy Graves2017ManhuntKiko Tanaka2018Laplace's WitchRei Kirimiya2019Lost TransmissionsWendiShe's Just a ShadowIrene2023The Silent ServiceRyoko FunaoSun & MoonShort film; Also director, writer and producer2025The Silent Service: The Battle of the Arctic OceanRyoko FunaoOut of OrderLisa My Sweet PalaShort film; Director2026All of a SuddenMari MorisakiLead role
Television YearTitleRoleNotes 2014Chi no WadachiToko SakagamiMini-series on Japanese TV2015HannibalChiyoh4 episodesThe Man in the High CastleBetty4 episodes2018–2020 WestworldHanaryo5 episodes2024The Silent ServiceRyoko Funao
Accolades Award Year Category Nominated work Result Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2026 Best Performance All of a Sudden Cannes Film Festival 2026 Best Actress All of a Sudden
References
External links